John Smith Obituary

SMITH, John John Gettys Smith died in Beaufort on February 24, 2009, loving husband of Nelle McCants Smith. Mr. Smith was a passionate community advocate. A pioneer in the South Carolina tourism and travel industry, he was a civic and cultural leader, a newspaperman, a church leader, a preservationist, an historian, a writer, an artist, who appreciated beauty in everything, a gardener, an avid tennis player and a storyteller. Born November 24, 1932 in York, SC, the elder son of the late Clyde Base and Ora Gettys Smith, Mr. Smith's interest in historic preservation began as a teenager as he helped to save York County's historic Brattonsville Plantation. In 1959, he restored the Brick House with a restaurant and tours of the houses bringing attention to the deteriorated plight of the plantation. In 1971, the site was named to the National Registry of Historic Places. A loyal graduate of the University of South Carolina and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity with degrees in history and art, he was named outstanding senior in his department, later serving on the USC's Alumni Council. In 1963 he and his wife moved to Hilton Head Island where he became vice president of public relations for Sea Pines Plantation. He was a founder and chairman of the Heritage Golf Classic, the CBS Tournament of Champions, and secured and directed the first NBC Family Circle Tennis Tournament for Sea Pines. Later he formed his own marketing firm, representing international resorts throughout the world, for twenty five years. He was a founder of Sea Pines Academy, a charter and vestry member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and All Saint's Episcopal Church, and founder of the USC Alumni Club. Smith's promotional activities for Hilton Head garnered state and national honors including the Order of the CORTE award from the Discover America Travel Organization which cited him as "the person most responsible for the promotion of travel to the South." Hilton Head Island residents still remember that he started the Christmas tree lighting on the Sea Pines Circle and along highway 278. A dedicated preservationist, Smith became an active member of Historic Beaufort Foundation when he moved to Beaufort, serving on the board and as chairman. Under his leadership, the Lafayette Soiree was given a new birth, the Beaufort Museum and Arsenal were leased by the Foundation, and membership increased. An oyster roast was established as a successful fund raiser. His personal gardens in Hilton Head and Beaufort became popular on garden tours, and he designed gardens for friends and clients throughout the Lowcountry, including the cemetery at the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort, where he was a member. In 2007, the Historic Beaufort Foundation honored him with the Danner Award for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation. He was the first chairman of the Old Commons Neighborhood Association, chairman of the Arts Council of Beaufort County and served on the board of the South Carolina Historical Society, The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, South Carolina State Museum, Beaufort Marine Institute, Main Street Beaufort and was a member of the St. Andrews Society of Savannah, GA and the Huguenot Society. In addition to his wife of 53 years, Smith is survived by his son, John Gettys Smith, Jr., of Palm Springs, CA; his daughter Ora Elliott Smith of Beaufort; Ellen Churchill Smith, the wife of his late son, Spencer McCants Smith, and three grandchildren, Christine McCants Smith, Cotter Gettys Smith, and Samantha Churchill Smith, of Summerville; his brother, Clyde Oran Smith and wife, Alice Weber Smith, of York; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Services will be held at The Parish Church of St. Helena Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 pm, with burial in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Preservation Trust of the Parish Church of St. Helena, PO Box 1043, Beaufort, SC 29901; St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 50 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; or the Historic Beaufort Foundation, PO Box 11, Beaufort, SC 29901; The John Gettys Smith Fund, c/o SCBT, PO Box 2147, Beaufort, SC 29901. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.